Lazy ball game set and method of play

ABSTRACT

A lazy ball game includes a net for receiving balls thrown toward the net which has a far end raised to a higher elevation and a near end at a generally lower elevation. Within the net are spaced targets at which the balls are aimed to score points. Thrown objects return to the thrower so that the ball is retrievable while remaining seated or stationary. The game set also generally includes net support means to maintain the net in a preferred playing position, usually with the far end elevated higher than the near end. The invention further involves a method of using the game set and any desired accessories, such as lawn chairs, to play a game themed as “Lazy Ball”, in which players alternate throwing balls at the targets and scoring points until a winning score is reached.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/537,177 filed on Jul. 26, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to games, usually yard games, involving throwing balls or other objects at targets, especially of the type enjoyed by neighbors, school colleagues, or groups, and at locations such as at school quadrangles, parks or in yards, or even in some situations, indoors. More particularly, it relates to game sets and methods for their use which allow players to play while not generally needing to walk extensively to retrieve balls thrown as part of the game.

While there are a variety of outdoor throwing games, varying from bouncing ball games, to corn hole or ring toss, for example, these all require the participants to retrieve the ball or other thrown object and to reposition themselves in order to make another toss or throw, in order to move on to a next or additional round of play. While this generates some degree of exercise, it can be tiresome and can lead to the players shortening their leisure activity, or to avoiding the game altogether. Further, the need for continuous walking and excess movement to retrieve the ball or other thrown object makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for the disabled, or those who have difficulty walking, such as the elderly, to take part in the game or activity.

Further, the need to retrieve the thrown ball poses issues for playing the game in an indoor facility, where balls can get lost under nearby furniture, or can be dangerous or pose threats to mar or injure furniture or bystanders near the game set's location.

While the above described need has been in existence since yards and yard games have been around, the existence of a game set and methods of play which allow for the players to remain continuously seated or largely stationary, yet enjoy a fully competitive game involving the skill of precisely throwing a ball or other object at targets, has not been entirely satisfactorily met.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, applicant has discovered that there is a need to address the issue of providing for seated, or more stationary yard and indoor throw-style games and has devised a “lazy ball” game set and method of play to fill this need.

A game set is provided. The set includes a net for receiving balls or other objects thrown toward the net. Based on the positioning of a thrower, the net has a far end raised to a higher elevation and a near end at a generally lower elevation compared to the far end. Within the net are spaced targets, such as target apertures, at which the thrown balls or other objects are aimed to score points. The game set has means, such as the downward slope of the net from its far end to its near end to return the thrown ball or object to or near the thrower so that the ball or object is easy to reach and retrieve while remaining seated or staying generally stationary. The game set also generally includes net spread means to enlarge the width of the net available to receive the ball or other thrown object, and net support means to maintain the net in its preferred playing position, including with the far end elevated higher than the near end.

The invention further involves a method of using the game set and any desired accessories, such as lawn chairs, to play a game themed as “Lazy Ball”, in which players alternate throwing balls or other objects at the targets in the net and score points according to a set of rules disclosed herein, until a winning score is reached, all generally without the need to walk to retrieve the ball or other thrown object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The presently disclosed subject matter will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a schematic depiction of the lazy ball game set showing an exemplary embodiment of the game set components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lazy ball game set as shown in FIG. 1 showing players sitting in lawn chairs and playing a game of lazy ball according to the method of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a chart demonstrating several rounds in a typical scoring sequence applying the playing and scoring rules for one embodiment of the method of using the game set as shown in FIG. 1 to play a game of lazy ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding the plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Various embodiments as described and shown herein provide a lazy ball game set and method to use the game set to play one or more variations on a game of “lazy ball”. The key denominator in the game set and game rules is that it provides a very competitive game which can be played outdoors, or even indoors, from lawn chairs, or otherwise from a relatively stationary position without the need to continually walk to or move about to retrieve balls or other objects thrown or tossed during the game.

Referring to the drawings, in one embodiment of the invention, a lazy ball game set 100 may be seen in FIGS. 1-2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game set 100 includes a net 10 for receiving balls or other objects thrown toward the net 10. Based on the positioning of a thrower, the net has a far end 10 a raised to a relatively higher elevation and a near end 10 b at a relatively lower elevation compared to the far end 10 a. Within the net are spaced targets, e.g., 12 a, b, c, which typically can be specifically three in number, but may be more or less in certain embodiments. These may be target apertures 12 a, 12 b, 12 c located, e.g., in a net cover, at which the thrown balls or other objects are aimed, and when accurately thrown, slip into the apertures and down to the net to score points and are then returned to the thrower. The game set has means, such as the downward slope of the net from its far end 10 a to its near end 10 b close to the ball tosser, to return the ball or other thrown object to or near the thrower so that the ball or object is easy to reach and retrieve while he or she remains seated or otherwise stays in a somewhat stationary designated throwing area.

The game set generally includes a large catching net 10 so that nearly all of the throws which are misses, and the ones which hit or enter the targets 12 a, b, c, are returned to the thrower. To assist in maximizing the area of netting available to receive balls, spread means such as a pole 14 a at or near the far end 10 a and laterally across or behind the net 10, and a pole 14 b such as one optionally at or along the near end 10 b, as well as additionally, or in substitution, at other positions along the length of the net 10, are employed to maintain the width and enhance the stability of the net 10. This serves to enhance the space available to receive the ball or other thrown object during play and thus is preferably part of the lazy ball game set.

Net support means, such as a freestanding tripod pole 16, are also included to maintain the net in preferred playing positions, including wherein the far end 10 a is elevated at a downward angle toward the near end 10 b to allow balls or other thrown objects which have a proclivity to roll or tumble under the influence of gravity to return to the thrower.

Additional components for the game set can include attachment means to connect the net to the net support means, e.g., such as a string or latch 18 to attach the top portion of the net 10 to the tripod pole 16.

As envisioned, the net 10 of the lazy ball game set 100 has a slight to significant downward slant from the far end 10 a of the net 10 to incline the balls or other thrown objects to roll or tumble toward the near end 10 b and the throwing area for easy nearby retrieval by the sitting or stationary thrower. Thus, the incline can be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% to the normal or greater, as desired and depending on such factors as the ease with which the thrown object returns to the thrower (e.g., balls generally require less incline than, e.g., washers, if washers are to be the thrown object in the lazy ball game.

The game set can also include a back drop (not shown) attached to the far end 10 a of the net 10 to further facilitate retention of errant throws within the netting so that balls and other objects will be returned to the thrower.

Additionally, the game set can include attachment means, e.g., a string or latch to attach the bottom, or near end 10 b of the net 10 to lawn chairs or other nearby objects to help set up and stabilize the game for play.

As depicted in FIG. 2, two game players are shown sitting in lawn chairs, with one having just thrown a ball toward a target aperture. The ball is shown thrown to enter the middle target aperture 12 b and will then begin its descent back to the near end 10 b of the net 10. In this embodiment, the net can include a vertical spacing component of some nature, such as a ringlet, or cylinder, or the give of the netting fabric, so that when a ball or other thrown object enters the target aperture 12 it falls a sufficient distance below the bottom of the aperture to securely be caught by the net 10 and to begin its roll or tumble back to the near end 10 b of the net and to the throwing area without merely bouncing off the aperture. In embodiments of the game set 100, the apertures are secured to the netting by, e.g., an aperture-net tie 24, but a passage 26 is defined between the net 10 and the vertical spacing component for the ball, etc. to exit the aperture 12, be captured by the net 10, and to readily be returned to the thrower seated in, e.g., one of the lawn chairs.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, lazy ball is played by two or more players (although a single player can essentially “play against himself” or engage in practice play). In this embodiment, the players can sit in lawn or other chairs, or stand at the near end 10 b of the net 10. According to this embodiment, the object of the game is to throw balls (or other objects such as washers) of some variety, such as ping-pong or golf balls, which are conducive to the particular playing conditions. For example, ping-pong balls make an ideal throwing ball for indoor play, while golf balls are more preferred for windy, outdoor conditions. The point value of hitting targets or target holes is generally correlated so that a high point total corresponds to a high degree of difficulty. For example, the smallest and farthest away target hole 12 c can be worth the highest value awarded, e.g., 5 points. The middle target hole 12 b in both distance and size can be worth a middling value, e.g., 3 points, and the largest and nearest target hole, e.g., can be worth the lowest point total, e.g., 1 point. In this illustrative embodiment, the players (or sides) play until one reaches 21 and, although this rule can be dispensed with for quicker versions of lazy ball, it is required that one player or side reaches exactly 21 points. In this embodiment of lazy ball, only one player or side can score points in any one round of play and each round of play consists of each person throwing 3 balls alternately. Again, this order and amount are illustrative. In this version, only like numbers cancel each other out. For example, if player A scores a 3 pointer, and player B throws a 3 pointer, the scores for each throw cancels each other out and no one scores for that round. See the chart in FIG. 3, Round 1. In this embodiment of the game, having the highest pointer is the most important factor in scoring. For example, if player A throws one 5 pointer, and player B throws three 3 pointers in the same round, then player A scores five points for that round and player B scores zero points notwithstanding player B having “landed” three balls in target holes. See FIG. 3, Round 2. Moreover, in this embodiment of the game, if player A throws one 1 pointer and one 3 pointer, and person B throws two 3 pointers, player B would score three points for that round. See FIG. 3, Round 3. Additional rounds as shown in the chart depicted in FIG. 3 illustrate player A successfully winning the game by reaching exactly 21 points first.

The game set can be fabricated to have a structure and components similar to a tent. For example, the netting can be made of mesh to let wind readily pass through the mesh material. The tripod pole 16 used as means for secure placement of the net can be made of metal, e.g., of a material such as used in designing DJ speaker tripod poles. The poles 14 a and 14 b used as one means for spreading of the net 10 can be, e.g., metal, plastic or wood in composition, and the attachment strings can be of any flexible but sturdy material, such as nylon. Other items can be of types of material that one skilled in the art would generally adapt to this purpose, such as a thicker plastic or wood for use in constructing the backdrop 20. The tent-like components may also be adapted with hinged or telescoping segments so that they can be folded or collapsed and stored in a more compact form.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments and/or aspects thereof may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the invention without departing from their scope. While any dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the invention, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

This written description uses drawings and examples of components to disclose the various embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the invention may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art based on the principles explained herein. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims and description if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims and above description, or if the examples include equivalent structural or functional elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims or description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game set comprising a net for receiving balls or other objects thrown toward the net, the net having a far end raised to a higher elevation and a near end at a generally lower elevation compared to the far end, wherein within the net are spaced targets, at which the thrown balls or other objects can be aimed to score points, the game set having means for returning the ball or other object to or near the thrower so that the ball or object is easy to reach and retrieve while remaining seated or generally stationary, and net support means to maintain the net in playing position, with the far end elevated higher than the near end.
 2. A game set as set forth in claim 1 wherein the game set further includes rules of play wherein the rules of play provide that the objective of the game is to throw balls or objects at the targets within the net to score points, a first target has a predetermined high point value, correlating to a high degree of difficulty, a second target has a middling value correlating to a middling degree of difficulty, a third target has a low value correlating to a low degree of difficulty, with the option of additional or less targets included correlating in value to other gradations of difficulty, wherein the rules provide for the game to be played by one or more separate players or sides, in a succession of rounds, until one player or side reaches a predetermined winning score exactly at the predetermined winning score, the rules further provide that only one player or side can score points in any one round of play and each round of play consists of each person throwing 3 balls or objects, only like point numbers cancel each other out, and the rules further provide that the highest value pointer prevails in scoring in any particular round.
 3. A game set as set forth in claim 1 wherein the targets are target apertures.
 4. A game set as set forth in claim 2 wherein the targets are target apertures.
 5. A game set as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for returning the ball or other object to or near the thrower comprises the downward slope of the net from its far end to its near end.
 6. A game set as set forth in claim 1 further comprising net spread means to enlarge the width of the net available to receive the ball or other thrown object,
 7. A game set as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a backdrop attached to the far end of the net.
 8. A method of using a game set to play a competition comprising: obtaining and setting up the game components, the game components comprising: a net for receiving balls or other objects thrown toward the net, the net having a far end raised to a higher elevation and a near end at a generally lower elevation compared to the far end, wherein within the net are spaced targets, at which the thrown balls or other objects can be aimed by a thrower to score points, the game set having means for returning the ball or other object to or near the thrower so that the ball or object is easy to reach and retrieve while remaining seated or generally stationary, and net support means to maintain the net in playing position, with the far end elevated higher than the near end; selecting objects to be thrown or tossed at the targets; selecting players or sides to participate in the game; commencing play of the game according to selected rules of play; and, playing the game one or more rounds until one player or side reaches the winning score according to the rules of play.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the selected rules of play comprise: providing that the objective of the game is to throw balls or objects at the targets within the net to score points, a first target has a predetermined high point value, correlating to a high degree of difficulty, a second target has a middling value correlating to a middling degree of difficulty, a third target has a low value correlating to a low degree of difficulty, with the option of additional or less targets included correlating in value to other gradations of difficulty, wherein the rules provide for the game to be played by one or more separate players or sides, in a succession of rounds, until one player or side reaches a predetermined winning score exactly at the predetermined winning score, the rules further provide that only one player or side can score points in any one round of play and each round of play consists of each person throwing 3 balls or objects, only like point numbers cancel each other out, and wherein the rules further provide that the highest value pointer prevails in scoring in any particular round. 